Strongest earthquake in 25 years rocks Taiwan, killing 9 people

The strongest earthquake in a quarter-century struck Taiwan during Wednesday's morning rush hour, claiming nine lives, causing extensive damage to buildings, and disrupting train services across the island. Although a tsunami warning was initially issued, it was later lifted.

The epicenter of the earthquake was off the coast of rural, mountainous Hualien County, where several buildings suffered severe damage, with some leaning at dangerous angles and their ground floors crushed.

A man checks a partially collapsed building in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, April 3, 2024.

Approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) away in Taipei, tiles fell from older structures, prompting schools to evacuate students to sports fields while providing them with yellow safety helmets. Some children even shielded themselves with textbooks to protect against falling debris amid ongoing aftershocks.

Television broadcasts showed scenes of neighbors and rescue workers assisting residents, including a toddler, to safety through windows after doors became stuck due to the tremors. Fortunately, these individuals appeared to be mobile and mostly unharmed, despite experiencing shock from the event.

Residents rescue a child in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, April 3, 2024

Although Taiwan's population is accustomed to earthquakes and well-prepared for them, authorities had initially anticipated a milder quake and thus did not issue alerts. The unexpectedly strong tremor rattled even those accustomed to such seismic activity.

“I’ve grown accustomed to (earthquakes). But today was the first time I was scared to tears by an earthquake,” said Hsien-hsuen Keng, a resident of Taipei living on the fifth floor of an apartment building. ”I was awakened by the earthquake. I had never felt such intense shaking before.”

A partially collapsed building is seen in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, April 3, 2024.

The earthquake claimed nine lives, including three hikers in rockslides at Taroko National Park in Hualien and a van driver struck by boulders in the same area, according to Taiwan’s national fire agency and local reports.

Additionally, 934 individuals sustained injuries, and authorities lost contact with 50 people in minibuses in the national park due to disrupted phone networks. Efforts were underway to rescue six individuals trapped in a coal mine.

Furthermore, the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks triggered 24 landslides and inflicted damage on 35 roads, bridges, and tunnels across the affected region.